This week the 2012 PGA Tour stops in San Diego at Torrey Pines for the Farmers Insurance Open.  There is a good combination of both PGA stars and new comers that fill out the field.  Here are five predictions for this week in golf:

1. Watch for Phil Mickelson to have a so-so first round.  He needs to control his irons and make putts to have a good change.  He’s in his home turf, which typically means he places too much pressure on himself to perform.  I’d say his day one will fall somewhere between -1 and +1.  He is also switching back from the belly putter.  Hopefully the switch isn’t too much to handle for him this week.  Lastly, it’s never a good sign when the lead story about your game going into the weekend reads, “Plugging the Leaks.”

2. I like Brandt Snedeker for a sub 66 round at some point this weekend.  He’s ranked #2 in the all-around stats category for 2012.  He’s also #2 in scoring average for each of the first three rounds and he’s ranked #3 in scrambling.  If he dials it in he might be able to hold a big enough lead on Sunday to overcome his #76 ranking in fourth round scoring average.  We’ve seen flashes from brillance from him in the past, but we’ve also seen the perfect performance crumble – think Masters a few years ago. 

3. I think Nick Watney may hold an overnight lead for at least one day of the tournament.  I also predict he’ll get a top 5 finish this week.  Same holds true for Ricky Barnes who was born in California and will benefit from being ranked this season as #1 in scrambling from 30 yards or less and 7th in approaches from 175-200 yards.

4. Ryan Moore is due for a break out.  I think this may be his tournament to win.  He is a west coast guy and the playing conditions will likely remind him of where he played growing up.  He is ranked 7th this year in the “All Around Ranking” for stats, as well as 2nd for par breakers.  And, from 75 – 100 yards he ranked #1, which holds true for 100 – 125 yards where he is also ranked #1.  He also holds the low round in 2012, a 61, and he is #1 in back nine scoring average, which will come in handy on Saturday and Sunday.

5. Relative to the cut . . . Anthony Kim will make it, but barely (he’s ranked #152 in the all-around stats category).  On the other hand, David Duval, will have two good first rounds to comfortably make the cut, but he might fade this weekend when color commentators start talking about his story.  Duval will be helped by the fact he holds three #1 rankings in the greens in regulation (GIR) stats categories this season.

So there you have it.  My non expert predictions on this week’s PGA Tour event.  What are your predictions?